Looking for things to do in Scituate other than lounge on the beach and marvel at the breathtaking ocean views? There’s always something happening, especially in the summer months when the town’s population grows from about 19,000 to approximately 30,000 thanks to a healthy influx of seasonal visitors. From cultural events highlighting Scituate’s rich coastal heritage to vintage cars on display, there’s lots to see and do!
First Friday
Scituate Harbor Business Association
Throughout the year on the first Friday of each month, shop owners along Front Street in Scituate Harbor stay open late to celebrate community in what has come to be known as First Friday. Residents and visitors alike flock to the harbor in the evening to enjoy special events such as live music, wine tasting, art exhibits, and much more. Strolling along In December you might hear local students singing Christmas carols, while in the summer, tables of the local restaurants spill out onto the sidewalk lending a liveliness to the event. If you happen to be in Scituate during this time, it’s worth a visit to fully experience the special community that is First Friday in the harbor. It’s also a wonderful way to support the small businesses that call this area home.
SAA Arts Alive!
Join the Scituate Arts Association (SAA) in celebrating Arts Alive! during the weekend of June 11th – 12th, 2022. This event is open to artists of all ages whether you are a seasoned professional or you’re picking up a brush for the first time. Come experience plein air (open air) painting in and around scenic Scituate Harbor, Lighthouse Point, and the marina area. There will also be a Wet Paint show at Front Street Art Gallery where your work will be on display through July 3rd. The public is encouraged to visit the gallery to vote for the piece they feel is worthy of the “People’s Choice Award.” If you’d like to participate in the plein air painting, please sign up in advance at frontstreetartgallery.com or register the day of at the Front Street Art Gallery.
South Shore Arts Festival
After missing 2 years due to the pandemic, the South Shore Arts Festival is thrilled to be back this year. The 3-day outdoor festival will take place in neighboring Cohasset on the town common June 17th – 19th, 2022. Sponsored by the South Shore Art Center, this event draws over 10,000 visitors and features a juried art show as well as dozens of crafters selling their unique handiwork from booths set up on the town green. There is food, live music, and fun for the whole family, and the festival always coincides with Father’s Day making it a wonderful event to take Dad to. Insider’s tip: be sure to stop by the Second Congregational Church to sample their delicious strawberry shortcake! You can even pre-order your shortcake here so you don’t miss out!
Classic Cars in the Harbor
Scituate Harbor Business Association
If you’re a fan of vintage cars, you’re in luck. There are 3 days this summer when these classic cars will be on display in Scituate Harbor, so save the dates: June 16th, July 21st, and August 18th. These meticulously restored and maintained showpieces will take you back in time. If you’re of a certain age, they may bring back fond memories of cruising to the local drive-in or diner. If these cars were popular decades before you were even walking, you’ll still marvel at the styles of a bygone era and likely be astounded that many are not equipped with seatbelts. The shiny chrome, bench seats, and tail fins will have you yearning for simpler times when life moved at a less hectic pace.
Lawson Tower Bell Concert
Lawson Tower, a stately shingled structure in the center of Scituate, calls to mind the turret of a European castle. It was built in 1902 to enclose a water tank so wealthy Boston businessman, Thomas Lawson, would not have to look upon it from the estate he was building nearby. Lawson also commissioned a foundry to install 10 bells at the top of the tower—the largest weighing in at 3,000 pounds! It has since earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. On certain weekends, Lawson Tower is open to the public and offers panoramic views of the South Shore to anyone who is willing to climb the 123 narrow, spiral steps to the top. There are also scheduled carillon concerts that make for a fun and unique way to listen to a medley of songs. Upcoming concerts will take place on July 4th, August 7th, October 30th, and December 18th. History buffs can learn more about Lawson Tower by visiting the Scituate Historical Society website.
Scituate Heritage Days Lighted Boat Parade
What better way to kick off Scituate’s Heritage Days weekend celebration than with a lighted boat parade? Boats decked out in strings of lights illuminate the night and parade from the Harbor to the Town Pier where the Blessing of the Fleet takes place. Even docked boats can get in on the fun. Residents also participate by setting up a luminaria along the shoreline. It is really something special to see and some of the best vantage points are Scituate Lighthouse, Museum Beach, Cole Parkway, and First Cliff. The parade takes place on August 5th, 2022, 8:30 PM-10 PM.
Scituate Heritage Days
Scituatema.gov / Scituate Heritage Days Facebook
It’s clear to see that Scituate takes pride in its history, and the annual Heritage Days celebration is the event that showcases this rich heritage most spectacularly.
Sponsored by the Scituate Chamber of Commerce, this 2-day event happening August 6th – 7th this year, commemorates the founding of the town and has something for everyone: live music, food, kid’s carnival rides, and a local artisan market. In conjunction with Heritage Days, the town’s historical sites are open for tours as well. Part of Front Street, the main road through Scituate Harbor, is closed to traffic to make room for the live music stage and to allow visitors to meander among the shops. Heritage Days is eagerly anticipated each summer and draws visitors from all over the South Shore. Even if you’re not a resident of Scituate, you’ll love the hometown feel of this weekend-long celebration.
This list covers many of the events that take place each year, but part of the benefit of a vibrant and close-knit community is that new festivals are planned regularly. Keep an eye on the Scituate Chamber of Commerce website for the latest information on upcoming events. Missed out on some of the happenings this year? Plan your trip early for next year. Scituate Oceanside Rentals has just the place where you can relax and unwind yet still be in the heart of it all. We hope to see you back in Scituate soon!
